* Verse: The Nature of God
* CAIR Welcomes Announcement of U.S. Envoy to OIC
            - DC: Islamic Center Boasts Rich History (USINFO)
* CAIR-MI Joins Rally for Habeus Corpus Rights
* Video: CAIR-FL Press Conference on Church Vandalism
            - CAIR-FL Director Condemns Church Vandalism (Tampa Trib)
            - CAIR-FL: Vandals Wreak Havoc at Church (SP Times)
            - FL: Vandalism Linked to Anti-War Stance
* CAIR-Florida Volunteers at Homeless Shelter
            - CAIR-FL Rep Interviewed by NPR
* CAIR-LA: 'A Mighty Heart' Screening a Success
            - CAIR-CA Hosts Program on Women in Islam
* CAIR-CAN: Apology Sought for U.S. Border Delay
* Incitement: Coulter Smears Obama for Muslim Middle Name
* Iraq: Village Disputes Story of Deadly Attack (BBC)

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VERSE OF THE DAY: THE NATURE OF GOD - TOP

"God is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His Light is as if there were a niche and within it a lamp, the lamp enclosed in glass, the glass shining like a radiant star: lit from a blessed tree - an olive tree neither of the East nor of the West - whose oil would almost give light (of itself) even though it had not been touched by fire. Light upon Light! God guides whom He will to His Light."

The Holy Quran, 24:35

NOTE: This verse was read at the beginning of today's ceremony marking the 50th anniversary and rededication of the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C. (SEE BELOW)

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CAIR WELCOMES ANNOUNCEMENT OF U.S. ENVOY TO ISLAMIC CONFERENCE - TOP
Muslim civil rights group views initiative as move toward greater dialogue

(WASHINGTON, D.C., 6/27/07) - The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) today welcomed an announcement by President Bush that he will name a special envoy to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), a world body made up of 57 Muslim-majority nations. (SEE: http://www.oic-oci.org/)

President Bush made that announcement at an event marking the 50th anniversary and rededication of the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C., the same mosque he visited after the 9/11 terror attacks.

He said: "Our special envoy will listen to and learn from representatives from Muslim states and will share with them America's views and values. This is an opportunity for Americans to demonstrate to Muslim communities our interest in respectful dialogue and continued friendship."

SEE: Bush to Name Envoy to Islamic Conference (AP)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/06/27/national/w085234D76.DTL

"We welcome the appointment of a special envoy to the OIC as recognition that positive and respectful dialogue is the best way to build bridges of understanding between our nation and the Muslim world," said CAIR Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper.

Hooper joined the president, foreign diplomats, government officials, and interfaith leaders at today's event marking the mosque's anniversary.

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 33 offices, chapters and affiliates nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-488-8787 or 202-744-7726, E-Mail: ihooper@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Rabiah Ahmed, 202-488-8787 or 202-439-1441, E-Mail: rahmed@cair.com; CAIR Communications Coordinator Amina Rubin, 202-488-8787, E-Mail: arubin@cair.com

SEE ALSO:

DC: ISLAMIC CENTER OF WASHINGTON BOASTS A RICH HISTORY - TOP
Mosque was built with help from Muslims around the world
Elizabeth Kelleher, USINFO, 6/27/07
http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2007&m

=June&x=20070627105833berehellek0.2139093

Washington -- The Islamic Center of Washington is impressive. Prominently situated along Embassy Row in the U.S. capital city, the mosque often is considered the symbol of the Muslim community in America. In the 50 years since its dedication on June 28, 1957, it has become one of the most recognized buildings marking the city's skyline. (MORE)

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CAIR-MI: MICHIGAN ACLU RALLIES FOR HABEUS CORPUS RIGHTS - TOP
Detroit Public Radio, 6/26/07
http://www.wdetfm.org/article.php?id=1679

The Michigan American Civil Liberties Union led rallies across the state and in Washington D-C today (Tues) to protect Americans' due process rights. WDET's John Notarianni has more.

The ability of a prisoner to question the legality of his detention. . . or habeas corpus. . . is part of the foundation of American Democracy. The 2006 Military Commissions Act. . . however. . . waives that right for suspected enemy combatants in the war on terror. Representative Joe Knollenberg and Senator Debbie Stabenow both voted in favor of that law. The Michigan A-C-L-U is leading a coalition to change their minds. At Senator Stabenow's office in Detroit. . . Michigan Council on American-Islamic Relations Director Dawud Walid said the suspension of due process isn't just a problem for Muslims. . . it threatens all Americans.

"This is a coalition of Jews, Muslims, Christians and atheists. We want to remind her of the values of this country and to remind her that all people are entitled to respect and dignity and all are entitled to due process and not to be tortured and treated less than human." (MORE)

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CAIR-TAMPA PRESS CONFERENCE TO CONDEMN CHURCH VANDALISM - TOP

(TAMPA, FL, 6/27/07) - On June 26, the Tampa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Tampa) held a news conference at a local church targeted by vandals. According to church officials, the vandals wrote "Traitors Support Terrorist" on a wall of the church. The church is known for its support of the local Muslim community on civil rights issues.

Video of the press conference:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sa1VwiW3ie8

The church's pastor thanked CAIR for speaking out against the vandalism, saying during the news conference, "Sometimes I feel that Muslims understand the message of Jesus better than we do."

SEE: Florida Christian Church Attacked for Supporting Muslims (WFLA NBC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86ypkDmPpcU

SEE ALSO: Christian Church Target of Hate Crime (WFTS ABC)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RnSP-TD1PA

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: CAIR-Tampa Director Ahmed Bedier, Tel: 813-731-9506 or 813-514-1414, Email: abedier@cair.com

SEE ALSO:

CAIR DIRECTOR CONDEMNS CHURCH VANDALISM AS A HATE CRIME - TOP
Andriy R. Pazuniak, Tampa Tribune, 6/27/07
http://www.tbo.com/news/metro/MGBXZN34F3F.html

White paint and religious art now cover the wall inside tiny Christ the Servant Apostolic Catholic Church on Nebraska Avenue.

But for Ahmed Bedier, the hate remains from a message scribbled on a church wall during the weekend.

Just before 6 a.m. Saturday, the church's pastor, Bishop Chuck Leigh, received a call from Tampa police that someone had broken down the front door to his church.

When Leigh arrived, he found framed pictures smashed on the floor and "Traitors Support Terrorist" written in black marker on the wall.

To Bedier, the executive director of the Tampa chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the act was more than just vandalism - it was a hate crime.

During a news conference Tuesday, Bedier called the incident a "deliberate act" targeting a congregation and pastor who have supported the local Muslim community on local and international issues. (MORE)

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CAIR-FL: VANDALS WREAK HAVOC AT CHURCH - TOP
Religious leaders say graffiti left on the wall constitute a hate crime.
Justin George, St. Petersburg Times, 6/27/07
http://www.sptimes.com/2007/06/27/Hillsborough/Vandals_wreak_havoc_a.shtml

The Council on American-Islamic Relations and other religious leaders came to the defense of the Apostolic Catholic Church after the church was broken into Saturday. Graffiti that religious leaders called a "hate crime" was scrawled on the wall.

In the small Sulphur Springs church, the front door was broken down, a small amount of money was stolen, picture frames were broken and this message was left: "Traitors Support Terrorist."

A detective has been assigned to determine if the case falls under the state's hate crime classification, which would enhance the penalty if someone is found guilty of the vandalism, police spokeswoman Laura McElroy said.

The church's leader, Bishop Chuck Leigh, has been outspoken on several issues involving local Muslims.

He advocated the release of former University of South Florida professor Sami Al-Arian during the federal trial accusing him of terrorism ties.

Leigh also spoke in support of giving all religions school holidays during a contentious Hillsborough County School Board school calendar discussion.

The church is part of an independent Catholic movement not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church.

"An attack on any house of worship is like an attack on all houses of worship," said Ahmed Bedier, CAIR-Tampa's executive director, who urged anyone with information on the vandalism to contact police. (MORE)

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FL: VANDALISM LINKED TO ANTI-WAR STANCE - TOP
Fox 13, 6/26/07
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId

=3602733&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.2.1

Police are investigating vandalism at a catholic church. Someone broke in to Christ the Servant Church on Nebraska Avenue.

They stole money, smashed statues, and candles - then they wrote the phrase "Traitors support terrorists" on a wall.

The pastor has been outspoken against the war in Iraq, torture and conditions at Guantanamo Bay.

He also says he stands together with Muslim groups when they are mistreated.

"We support people who've been hurt or oppressed or whose rights are violated, and it doesn't make any difference who they are, or who's doing the oppressing," offered Pastor Chuck Leigh.

The damage has already been cleaned up. No one's been arrested.

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CAIR-FLORIDA FEEDS THE HOMELESS - TOP

(MIAMI, FL, 6/27/07) - Representatives of the Florida office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-FL), along with members of the local Muslim community, recently volunteered at Broward Outreach Center by serving a hot meal to the homeless.

The effort was part of CAIR's nationwide "Muslims Care" campaign to promote volunteerism in the American Muslim community. More than 15 volunteers from the local Muslim community participated in the event.

SEE: http://www.cair.com/muslimscare/

"Helping the needy in the community is encouraged in Islam and we will continue to contribute as much as possible," said CAIR FL Executive Director Altaf Ali.

Ali quoted Islam's Prophet Muhammad, who said: "He who eats his fill while his neighbor goes without food is not a believer."

CAIR, America's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has 33 offices and chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.

CONTACT: Hawa Burke, Tel: 954-272-0490, E-Mail: hburke@cairfl.org

SEE ALSO:

CAIR-FL: MOSQUES REFLECT ON PADILLA'S ISLAMIC EDUCATION - TOP
Dina Temple-Raston, National Public Radio, 6/27/07
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11443212

Altaf Ali, the head of the Council of American Islamic Relations in South Florida, says that because of the way visitors might tarnish a community mosque, local Muslims have become suspicious of new arrivals.

"Muslims are starting to look at newcomers with different eyes," Ali said. "People are starting to wonder if this will be a person who will do something and paint the whole community with a broad brush. There is a lot of fear being associated with certain places of worship because of the negativity associated with different places." (MORE)

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CAIR-LA: 'A MIGHTY HEART' SCREENING A SUCCESS - TOP

(ANAHEIM, CA, 6/27/07) - Some 300 people of diverse faiths turned out last Thursday for a screening and panel discussion of "A Mighty Heart" hosted by the Los Angeles Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA), Progressive Christians Uniting (PCU) and Paramount Vantage.

The movie portrays the intense search for and subsequent horrific murder of Wall Street Journal writer Daniel Pearl in Pakistan, as told by his wife Mariane Pearl. Based on Mariane Pearl's memoir, the movie was made by "The Road to Guantanamo" Director Michael Winterbottom and stars Academy Award winner Angelina Jolie and Dan Futterman.

The evening was meant to celebrate Daniel Pearl's commitment to global truth and understanding. In a discussion following the exclusive screening at Paramount Studios, four panelists shared their thoughts behind Mariane Pearl's vision for peace and tolerance, and how that vision can be furthered by people of faith - Christians, Jews, Muslims, and those of other beliefs.

"It is important to reiterate that Muslims all around the world condemned the horrific murder of Daniel Pearl. . .and it pains me to see that there are criminals out there who misuse the name of Islam to justify violent acts against innocent people," said CAIR-LA Executive Director Hussam Ayloush, addressing the packed theater. "We need to use this film and the tragedy depicted in this film to spread the message that we need more dialogue, and end the culture of violence, the culture of bombs, the culture of occupation, the culture of torture."

Reverend Peter Laarman, executive director of Progressive Christians Uniting, agreed. "I think there is a need for people to respond in real time to canards, to slurs and to sweeping generalizations," he said.

Rabbi Haim Dov Beliak, a board member with Progressive Jewish Alliance and co-founder of www.JewsOnFirst.org, also spoke about increasing dialogue and bridge-building. "I want to commend CAIR for the courage it took to undertake this evening," Beliak said.

The Pakistani Consul General in Los Angeles, Syed Ibne Abbas, attended Thursday's program. He gave a short speech in which he expressed sorrow for Daniel Pearl's murder and stated that the Pakistani government had tried everything it could to save his life.

"Some misguided people are using the religion of Islam, a religion that believes in compassion and peace," said the consul general. "I am not a preacher but I can say with all confidence that, in the Quran, it says, "Killing one innocent person is tantamount to killing the whole humanity.""

To watch the entire panel discussion, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USDI6AgWdy8

CONTACT: CAIR-LA Communications Coordinator Munira Syeda, Tel: (714) 776-1847, Email: socal@cair.com

SEE ALSO:

CAIR-SFBA HOSTS PROGRAM ON WOMEN IN ISLAM - TOP

(SANTA CLARA, CA, 6/27/07) - On Saturday, June 23, the San Francisco Bay Area office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-SFBA), in coordination with the Muslim Community Association (MCA) and Elderhostel, hosted its second "Day of Discovery: Building Bridges to Islam" program, at MCA.

Titled "Women in Islam," the event's purpose was to provide Elderhostel members an overview on the status and lives of Muslim women from across the globe.

The program began with presentations on overcoming stereotypes, in which Muslim women speakers of diverse ethnic backgrounds shared their personal experiences. This was followed by a presentation titled "Mary in Islam," as well as small group discussions, a mosque tour, and observation of the noon prayer. The event concluded with a panel discussion and question and answer session.

"There is a need to challenge prevalent stereotypes related to Muslims, especially the belief that Islam subjugates women," said Shazia Jafri, CAIR-SFBA Communications Coordinator. "In reaching out and conveying the truth, the Elderhostel program effectively catered to this need."

CAIR, America's largest Islamic civil liberties group, has 33 chapters nationwide and in Canada. Its mission is to promote justice, enhance understanding of Islam, and empower American Muslims.

CONTACT: Abiya Ahmed, CAIR-SFBA Media Relations Coordinator, aahmed@cair.com, 408-986-9874

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CAIR-CAN: MACKAY WANTS APOLOGY FROM U.S. FOR BORDER DELAY - TOP
MPs from all parties are supporting an Ontario dentist who was questioned on his faith by U.S. immigration officials, hoping a database of such cases will be created.
Brian Adeba, Embassy, 6/27/07

As a respected scholar on Islamic matters, Munir El-Kassem travels frequently to the United States to give lectures to fellow Muslims. For years after Sept. 11, 2001, he did so without any hitches. But early last month, things took a turn.

Flying from Quebec City, he made a stop in Detroit, Michigan to change planes for his flight to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the site of an interfaith conference he had been invited to attend.

As he stood before U.S. immigration officials to be cleared for boarding, he was asked the usual question regarding the purpose of his visit. Then the immigration official asked him what faith he was. On replying that he was a Muslim, Mr. El-Kassem said he was asked, in a commanding voice, to follow the officer to another room. There, he was asked to sit down on a chair. After about 10 minutes, another official, whom he says was a supervisor, entered the room.

"The first question was: 'Have you ever met Osama Bin Laden?'" Mr. Kassem recalled in an interview earlier this month.

Mr. Kassem said he couldn't believe his ears and ventured to ask, "Are you serious?" upon which he was commanded to answer the question. When he replied that he hadn't, he was asked whether he had ever met Saddam Hussein. The officer also wanted to know what he thought of Louis Farrakhan, leader of the Nation of Islam, and also what he thought of the United States. He was also asked whether he worshipped God or Allah. The officer then left the room, but came back later and asked why Mr. El-Kassem had travelled to Libya, Saudi Arabia and Syria, destinations that Mr. El-Kasseem had visited either for pilgrimage-in the case of Saudi Arabia-or family visits. He was also asked whether he had visited Iran and Iraq recently, countries that he hadn't been to.

"All through this interview, I felt so uncomfortable," said Mr. El-Kassem, who is also a professor of dentistry at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ont. He immigrated to Canada from Lebanon in 1976. . .

The harassment of Muslims at the U.S. border occurs regularly and no clear reason is given, said Sameer Zuberi, a spokesman for the Canadian Council on American-Islamic Relations. While he welcomed Mr. MacKay's efforts, Mr. Zuberi said the issue has to be treated broadly.

"There are hundreds of other average Canadian Muslims who face the same [ordeal] and it's really the most tragic cases," said Mr. Zuberi. (MORE)

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COULTER: 'I DO THINK ANYONE NAMED B. HUSSEIN OBAMA SHOULD AVOID USING 'HIJACK' AND 'RELIGION' IN THE SAME SENTENCE' - TOP
Media Matters, 6/26/07
http://mediamatters.org/items/200706260004?f=h_top

On the June 25 edition of Fox News' Hannity & Colmes, discussing Sen. Barack Obama's (D-IL) June 23 speech at a church in Hartford, Connecticut, co-host Alan Colmes asked right-wing pundit Ann Coulter if "[o]nly Republicans can talk in churches." Coulter responded: "No, but I do think anyone named B. Hussein Obama should avoid using 'hijack' and 'religion' in the same sentence." Colmes replied: "I see. So, in other words, you want to paint him as a terrorist by continuing to highlight that his middle name is Hussein?" Coulter stated: "Just avoid those two together. ... Avoid 'hijack and 'religion.' "

Coulter was apparently referring to Obama's comment in his June 23 speech about the use of religion as a divisive tactic: "But somehow, somewhere along the way, faith stopped being used to bring us together and started being used to drive us apart. It got hijacked."

Coulter is scheduled to appear on MSNBC's Hardball on June 26. As Media Matters for America documented, during her last Hardball appearance on July 27, 2006, Coulter called former Vice President Al Gore a "total fag." (MORE)

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IRAQ: VILLAGE DISPUTES STORY OF DEADLY ATTACK - TOP
BBC, 6/26/07
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6239896.stm

On 22 June the US military announced that its attack helicopters, armed with missiles, engaged and killed 17 al-Qaeda gunmen who had been trying to infiltrate the village of al-Khalis, north of Baquba, where operation "Arrowhead Ripper" had been under way for the previous three days.

The item was duly carried by international news agencies and received widespread coverage, including on the BBC News website.

But villagers in largely-Shia al-Khalis say that those who died had nothing to do with al-Qaeda. They say they were local village guards trying to protect the township from exactly the kind of attack by insurgents the US military says it foiled. (MORE)

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CAIR
Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20003
Tel: 202-488-8787, 202-744-7726
Fax: 202-488-0833
E-mail: info@cair.com
URL: http://www.cair.com

 

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